Sliding Tray Table Assembly With Rail Locking for Cabin Legroom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cabin space is limited, and existing tray tables do not efficiently adapt to user needs, often sacrificing legroom or requiring cumbersome repositioning, as they lack the ability to translate and lock into desired positions.
Innovation Solution
A tracking table assembly with a primary leaf, secondary rotating leaf, adapter plate, pillow blocks on linear rails, a solenoid, and serrated pawl that allows the table to move along rails and lock into place, enabling users to position it comfortably without compromising legroom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is made fixed and non-movable, then the structure is simple and stable, but the user cannot adjust the position without sacrificing legroom
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic movable one by incorporating linear rails and a carriage mechanism. The table assembly can now translate along the rail between forward and rearward positions, allowing users to adjust the table position to accommodate different legroom requirements while maintaining structural stability through the rail-guided movement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table system is divided into separate functional components: the table assembly, the carriage, the linear rail, and the solenoid actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows the table to move independently along the rail while each component maintains its structural integrity, enabling position adjustment without compromising overall system stability.
2Ease of operation
If the tray table includes movement mechanism, then the user can adjust position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid actuator provides automated engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism. When the solenoid is activated, it releases the pawl from the rack teeth, allowing the table to be freely repositioned along the rail. When deactivated, the pawl automatically engages with the rack teeth to lock the table in place. This self-service mechanism reduces the physical effort required for repositioning while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid acts as an intermediary between the user's control input and the table's movement. Rather than requiring direct manual manipulation of complex locking mechanisms, the user simply activates the solenoid, which mediates the release of the pawl-from-rack engagement, enabling smooth and easy repositioning of the table along the linear rail.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tray table locks in position, then the stability is improved, but the repositioning flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates in periodic cycles of engagement and disengagement controlled by the solenoid. The pawl periodically engages with the rack teeth to lock the table in position, and periodically disengages when the solenoid is activated to allow repositioning. This periodic action maintains stability during use while enabling flexible repositioning when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to position the table assembly anywhere along the rail, accommodating different needs while locking into place, thus optimizing space usage and user comfort without sacrificing legroom.
Implementation Method 1
A serrated pawl capable of locking engagement with the serrated track is positioned atop a plunger of a solenoid. The solenoid is positioned perpendicular to the serrated track. When activated by the user the solenoid retracts the plunger and the serrated pawl separates from engagement with the serrated track
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a foldable tracking table assembly comprising a primary leaf, and a secondary leaf rotatably secured to the primary leaf and a table bracket secured to the opposite end of the primary leaf The table bracket in turn is secured to an adapter plate which is atop one or more pillow blocks. The pillow blocks are disposed atop linear rails upon which the pillow blocks are capable of longitudinally traversing. Adjacent the linear rail is a serrated track parallel to the at least one rail and a serrated pawl capable of locking engagement with the serrated track. A solenoid facilitates the locking engagement of the pawl with the serrated track wherein a user of the table assembly manually activates the solenoid withdrawing the serrated pawl from locking engagement with the serrated track thereby allowing the table assembly to traverse the linear rail to a position that accommodates the user.